DOE debuts new approach to student bus transportation

A year ago this month, we began overhauling student transportation in Hawaii.

Our first step was to map out a strategy of reform and take a hard look at a broken system that cost the state millions over a number of years.

Not only did we want to address fiscal issues, but we also wanted to provide effective student bus routes.

At the end of the day this is about getting students to school ready to learn.

With the start of the new school year today, we begin our Get on Board Initiative, a multi-year commitment by the state Department of Education (DOE). It will be rolled out in phases over three years, starting with the pilot phase aimed at restoring some routes that were discontinued due to budget cuts.

The pilot area involves about 3,500 student bus riders at 30 schools in the Aiea, Moanalua, Pearl City, Radford and Waipahu High complex areas.

Within these areas, bus service is being restored for about 350 riders in the Aiea Heights, Halawa Heights and Waikele Elementary school attendance areas.

Why these areas for the pilot? Because of the complex nature of overhauling our pupil transportation system, we needed to take a phased approach. These areas were chosen because they involve multiple routes and larger ridership, and they represent areas in which we didn’t have existing contracts.

We appreciate the efforts of the bus companies, which are equally dedicated to providing the right bus service for our kids.

With a new law in place that streamlines the contracting procedures, our bus contracts now have a clear-cut procurement process.

Buses used in the pilot will feature updated technology, including routing software and GPS tracking.

Data gathered from the first phase will guide the second phase rollout of Get on Board across Oahu for the 2014-15 school year. In anticipation, requests for proposals have already been issued to contractors. The following school year, 2015-16, will be the third phase, with Get on Board being introduced on the neighbor islands.

Another key part in our strategy was increasing communications with parents. Two weeks ago, we sent letters to parents in our pilot phase informing them about the details of our Get on Board Initiative. Additionally, we’ve set up a Get on Board call center at 206-7936, and an e-mail address at getonboard@hawaiidoe.org.

We encourage our parents to provide feedback, which will be a key component of this pilot phase.

This initiative falls in line with the goals described in the DOE strategic plan. We are now in the second year of a seven-year strategic plan, which focuses on preparing students for college, careers and citizenship.

Bus transportation is a vital part of getting our students into their classrooms efficiently, safely and on a timely basis.

The road hasn’t always been smooth or without roadblocks, and we continue to make the necessary reforms as we transform our education system.

This first year when students Get On Board is just the beginning in rebuilding a student transportation system for years to come that not only serves the best interests of students, but also Hawaii’s taxpayers.